On the 14th, Hanwha acquired FA outfielder Lee Myung-ki through a signing and trade with NC. Along with Chae Eun-seong, who was recruited as a free agent, and Brian O’Grady, a new foreign hitter, the one remaining spot in the outfield was also transfused from outside.
For existing Hanwha outfielders who are having a spring camp in Arizona, the United States, it was news like a thunderbolt. A spot in the outfield without an owner was their goal. The club also opened the camp as a space for internal competition, but the situation changed in two weeks.
As a team, it is a reinforcement of power, but an emergency was required for players in the same position who could lose their seats. The message of Hanwha coach Carlos Subero looking at this has also become more sober. After taking office in 2021, coach Subero gave unlimited opportunities to outfielders for two years and alternately tested several players, but he could not get a clear result.
On the 20th (hereinafter Korean time), coach Subero, who met at Salt River Field at Talking Stock in Arizona, USA, said, “He is a hitter with a career batting average of 30% (.307). Although he faltered last year, he still posted a batting average close to 2.6 (.257). He was a recruitment that supplemented the lack of contact in the team while adding outfield depth.”
Regarding the sense of deprivation or motivation that existing outfielders may feel, coach Subero said, “If I were a player, I would accept the team’s message rationally rather than feeling like that. In the long run, that will benefit the players as well.” From now on, you have to find your own opportunity and settle down. He must compete fiercely for a spot in left field, center field, or right field. It will not flow in the same way as the past two years,” he emphasized.
It is highly likely that Lee Myung-gi will be given a chance first, but not until the full start. Even if Lee Myung-gi succeeds in rebounding and takes the left fielder seat, variables can happen at any time. If Kim In-hwan, who hit 16 homers, the most on the team last year, struggles, the percentage of first baseman appearances for Chae Eun-seong could increase. If that happens, another outfield spot will be vacant. You never know how things will play out, so the established outfielders need to be prepared to take chances. On the 20th, the first real match, outfielders such as Jang Jin-hyeok (2 hits, 1 RBI), Lee Jin-young (1 hit, 1 RBI), and Yoo Sang-bin (1 walk, 1 stolen base) showed off their presence in a practice game against the Dutch WBC national team. 카지노
It’s not just the outfield. Coach Subero, who received four free agent players prior to Lee Myung-ki, including Chae Eun-seong, Lee Tae-tae, and Oh Seon-jin, said, “All of them were on the winning team. Players who know how to win have come to the team, and they are in the process of integrating with the existing young players who have learned and grown through a lot over the past two years. After going through the spring camp, the team became complete, and it seems that the players have higher expectations for this year’s team performance.”
Hanwha was a land of opportunity under the Subero coaching system, which started with a full rebuild by arranging a large number of veterans. Several players across all positions were given opportunities, and coach Subero also persevered, focusing on future development rather than his immediate performance. However, in the process, an atmosphere of taking opportunities easily and for granted was formed, and internal competitiveness was weakened due to the rebuilding, in which competition was blurred. In order to create an atmosphere where you can feel the preciousness and earnestness of the opportunity, general manager Son Hyuk took off his feet in free agency and trade recruitment, and provided enough bullets to fight on the field.
Breaking away from the rebuilding process of the past two years, where he headed to the bare ground, coach Subero also put forward the theme of ‘Time to Climb’ this year. Coach Subero, who has ample live ammunition with the gift of 4 free agents, is ready to fight in the final year of his contract.
